A JUBILANT Steve Bruce today sounded out a defiant 'never again' message after Blues bounced back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

A JUBILANT Steve Bruce today sounded out a defiant 'never again' message after Blues bounced back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

Exactly a year after relegation, Championship table-toppers Blues were promoted after Derby County failed to win at Crystal Palace yesterday.

That result gave Blues, gutsy winners against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday despite having only 10 men, and Sunderland an unassailable lead in the automatic spots with one game remaining.

Bruce still shivers at the memory of Blues top-flight fall from grace four seasons after winning the 2002 play-offs.

"That won't happen again," he insisted. "We are not going to suffer that, no way.

"I believe we have all learnt from our mistakes - none more so than myself - and next season we will do things a different way.

"After those successful first three years, I went down the route of bringing in some big name players and some ageing players and it didn't work.

"I went away from what I believed in, what Birmingham is all about, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with this group of players after we changed it around.

"They are a talented bunch and a very committed bunch, they have a freshness and an enthusiasm about them.

"Of course, we will look to strengthen in the summer, but the way we are going to approach it, the sort of philospohy we will have next season, we will make sure the Birmingham supporters have a team to be proud of - and that they will have a go."

Managing director Karren Brady said at the announcement of new kit suppliers Umbro weeks ago that it was going to take 'an enormous amount of investment' by the board to ensure that Blues were competitive in the Premiership.

And with promotion worth between #40 million - #50 million because of the new television deal which begins in 2007-08, there should be a significant amount of cash available to Bruce.

But Blues will concentrate on bringing in those who are the right fit and not simply jettison the players who have got them back up.

Co-owner David Sullivan said: "We will be looking at personalities not reputations, and injury records. And basically, we will have to buy better than we have done on occasions before.

"We know we have to strengthen but, at the same time, there is an awful lot available at present to work with.

"You have people like Mat Sadler not in the team, Rowan Vine not in the team, others as well who can't get on the bench."

Bruce threw a party at his house in Warwickshire last night for his squad and staff, and was full of praise for what they had done this season.

"This promotion is as big an achievement as I've had in my career," said the Blues boss. "In terms of all the hassles, the pressure, the expectation, completely rebuilding the team - there has been so much to deal with.

"But it's not about me, it's about those players and my staff. They have got their just rewards.

"It's been a big ask of the younger ones, who have not gone through anything like this season before. Then you have the more experienced ones, like Jaidi, N'Gotty, Clemence, Johnson and Taylor.

"The Arsenal boys who came on loan - what a contribution they have made.

"I think they've all put a bit of pride back and although people say we're not as exciting as some, we don't do this, we don't do that, we have achieved what we set out to do - get promotion.

"Not many teams come straight back up after relegation, it isn't easy."

Bruce paid special tribute to his assistant and first team coach Eric Black.

"Eric has come into his own. He's had more responsibility heaped on his shoulders and he's responded.

"He's suffered, too. People who don't know his work have said things. Well, we've refused three job offers for him in the past six months or so, he's that highly thought of. He deserves a big pat on the back."

Bruce's relationship with fans has perhaps lost some of its warmth, but he accepted long ago that relegation was a factor and that familiarity can breed contempt.

"A few weeks back, after the Stoke City game, I got a text message off Roy Keane, who was there. It was along the lines of 'don't let them get to you'.

"I know I have been questioned by some of our loyal supporters but I do believe the vast majority understand what we had to do this season, and the way we had to do it.

"I have always had great affection for Birmingham ever since I came here as a player and I think they know that, and I am delighted that they will be watching Premiership football again next season."